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Part 2 of Strata-gee Interview with New Crestron CEO Dan Feldstein

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Photo of Dan Feldstein, new CEO of Crestron

Supply Chain, CEO Role, Going Public, a Better Partner

Last week I wrote about my opportunity to attend the inaugural Creston Next Road Trip in Boston in November. One of the most interesting parts of that experience was having the opportunity to interview new Crestron CEO Dan Feldstein. Crestron, one of the biggest players in the custom integration game, was founded by Dan’s father, George Feldstein (who passed away in 2014) and I was interested in learning more about how the new CEO saw the world and his top priorities and opportunities for the company.

In this Part 2 of that interview, we learn how the company is dealing with the industry-bedeviling supply chain issues, why it will never go public, how Dan views the CEO’s role, and how the company seeks to be a better business partner.

See Part 2 of my interview with Crestron CEO Dan Feldstein

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Branding Lesson: Surprise Kit Kat Tweet Praises Twix; What Happens Next?

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Nestle Kit Kat logo used as part of a branding study

The conventional wisdom of branding says that you never mention your competitors in your marketing – it only serves to promote them. Less professional companies have sales and marketing teams that go one step further by publicly or privately criticizing their competitors!

Which is better? Complement or criticize your competitors? New research holds what might be a surprising answer!

Should you be naughty or nice to competitors? Read on…

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Kaleidescape & Stewart Filmscreen Partner to Deliver Performance and a Discount

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Kaleidescape & Stewart Filmscreen partner on a new promotion

Two power players in the high performance home cinema game – media server specialist Kaleidescape and screen expert Stewart Filmscreen – have partnered to deliver a better “seamless screening experience.” And in the process, the partnership will result in a limited-time offer to buyers for a $1,000 discount off the MSRP of qualifying Kaleidescape products.

See more on this partnership and promotional discount

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Snap One Continues Local In-Market Expansion; Adds New Florida ‘Store’

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snap one partner store logo

Snap One announced this week that it has opened another “Partner Store” – a locally based warehouse location – that carries its products as well as other brands and offers support and training for area integrators. This new location opened in Hollywood, Florida, and – interestingly – is being operated by their Allnet branch.

See more on the continued expansion of Snap One

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First-Ever ‘Inside Sound United’ Virtual Event is Next Week; Register Today

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Inside Sound United graphic

Major industry player Sound United is on the cusp of launching its first-ever virtual event called, appropriately enough, “Inside Sound United” (ISU). Coming November 9-12, 2021 to a computer near you, this highly immersive 4-day virtual event will be chock full of useful content and allow integrators to experience a side of the company not usually seen.

See more on ‘Inside Sound United’ virtual 4-day event

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New Vanco Introduction Powers Up Your Assortment, Client Satisfaction & Profits

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I recently became aware of the fact that Vanco, the Chicago-based manufacturer of a broad range of mostly accessory products had decided to become a master distributor for a product category that we all need, we all use, and yet to which we pay little attention. It is in this reality, Vanco’s President Mark Corbin tells me, that there lies a tremendous opportunity to better serve our customers and to add meaningful profit to our financials.

See this Vanco solution…

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UEI Earns Wide National News Coverage for All the Wrong Reasons

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UEI screenshot with logo

Allegations of Conspiring With China’s Gov’t to Use Uyghurs in a Forced Labor Arrangement

In a rare show of bipartisanship, a group of U.S. Senators has sent a strongly worded letter to a leading consumer electronics industry remote control maker Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) launching a probe into the company’s hiring practices in China. Unique to UEI is that they own their own factories in China (most contract with existing China OEM factories) and a recent damning investigation by Reuters alleges the company is working with the Chinese government to utilize a widely persecuted Uyghur minority in a forced labor arrangement, a human rights violation. UEI has denied the accusation but so far has not provided data to back up their denial.

See more on the UEI labor situation in China

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Well-Known Industry Vet Lawrence Davis Joins Vital

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logo for Vital

CI coaching business Vital announced this week that well-known industry veteran Lawrence Davis has joined the company as its new VP of Business Development. The company says that this move is “the first step in their growth plan.”

See more on Vital hiring Lawrence Davis

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Moody’s Upgrades Credit Rating of Once Bankrupt Guitar Center, Parent of AVDG

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Moody’s Investors Service, one of the nation’s largest credit rating agencies, announced last week that it has raised the credit rating of Guitar Center, the owner of custom integration company Audio Visual Design Group. Guitar Center has struggled for years, finally falling into bankruptcy – from which it emerged about ten months ago in December 2020.

Read more about Guitar Center & AVDG’s elevated rating

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Kaleidescape Expands Line with New Mid-Level Compact Terra 18TB Server

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Kaleidescape 18TB movie server

Kaleidescape announced this week an expansion of its movie server line with the new compact Terra 18TB. Positioned as a mid-level model for the brand, the Terra 18TB offers some sweet features that are sure to make it a popular option for movie fans.

Learn more about the Kaleidescape Terra 18TB movie server

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